Challenge Kickoff Weekend: 2,700+ Animals Find Homes in Two Days

In an exciting weekend of pet adoption events nationwide, 50 animal shelters kicked off the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge by finding loving forever homes for more than 2,700 animals. From California to Maine, adopters visited local shelters to show their support for the Challenge and went home with furry best friends of all shapes and sizes.

Here are some of the highlights from this fur-filled weekend:

When Bangor Humane Society had just one puppy left in the building, Ike—previously accompanied by his brother, Spike—the Maine agency promised his adopter a special surprise. "Spike and Ike's adoption fees were paid for by their foster parents, in turn making their adoption fees free to their new families," BHS explained to its Facebook fans. "Because of this, BOTH of Spike and Ike's adoptive families decided to pay it forward, and pay for the adoptions of two other dogs that are still in the building!”

In what turned out to be a very successful partnership, the Flagler Humane Society teamed up with local groomer Animal House Groomers, which helped transform some of the scruffier pets into adorable candidates for adoption during kick-off weekend event. The groomers worked makeover magic on this lucky pup, Scrapie, who later found a loving home.

Beyonce, a pretty pup rescued from an inhumane situation, was one of 122 adoptions at Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center over the course of the weekend. “Although her adoption was free today,” the Pennsylvania agency told its Facebook fans, “she had a $50 sponsorship, and her adopter left an additional $250!”